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Gilbane Building Company’s M/WBE & Veteran Contractor Training Program Graduates Five from Local Contractors

Unique minority, veteran and women-owned business mentoring program supports development of tools for success and increasing competitiveness throughout the construction industry

Boston, MA – June 7, 2016 – Gilbane Building Company, a global leader in construction management, held a graduation ceremony recently at its Boston office to honor five members of three local companies who have successfully completed Gilbane’s M/WBE and Veteran Contractor Training Program. Honored guests included John Fitzpatrick, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) Program Director for Construction Reform.

“Gilbane’s level of commitment to minority, women and veteran-owned firms is exemplified by this unique program,” said Ryan Hutchins, Senior Vice President. “We continue to support the development of a diverse workforce through this training program that offers minority, women and veteran-owned companies a competitive edge so they can excel, not only when working with Gilbane, but with other firms within the industry as well. This is about giving companies a chance to truly succeed in this industry.”

Kahlil Olmstead, founder and general manager of G.O. Services and a Contractor Training Program alumnus added, “Gilbane takes an extremely proactive approach to recruiting and hiring women, veteran and minority-owned firms. More than just a good-faith effort, Gilbane is committed to building deep, long-lasting subcontractor relationships and our training program serves as an important foundation.”

As an extension of the company’s nationally recognized Gilbane University and currently in its sixth year, Gilbane developed this ‘best practices’ M/WBE and Veteran Contractor Training Program for small M/WBE and veteran-owned businesses in the construction trades. Designed as a 14-session program spanning seven months, the classes are instructed by seasoned and experienced Gilbane executives who are matched with participants as part of a mentoring program. The program helps develop ongoing relationships between a Gilbane mentor and a protégé, ultimately helping the protégé and his/her business become more knowledgeable and competitive in the construction industry. To date, Gilbane has awarded more than $15.5 million worth of contracts to graduates of this program.

“I enjoyed the class immensely,” notes Jesus Martinez from Elegance in Granite. “It is already having a positive impact on our company. That is certainly a testament to the program and to Gilbane”.

The program’s class topics include accounting, cost estimating, marketing, safety, procurement, technology, project management, insurance, purchasing, scheduling, business development, risk analysis, and financial management and the curriculum is designed increase competition in the marketplace and give contractors the tools they need to compete at the highest level. Since the program’s inception in 2010, including yesterday’s graduates, the program has graduated a total of 46 students from 32 firms. Registration for the next session begins in November 2016 (the session runs through May 2017). Please contact Meredith Whalen at mwhalen@gilbaneco.com

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, close-out and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1873 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 50 office locations around the world.

Gilbane has been a leading Boston construction firm since 1946, serving commercial, institutional, and public clients in the Commonwealth including the University of Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Tufts University, Verizon, Genzyme, Fidelity Investments, and Bank of America. The Boston office was recently named a Top Charitable Contributor in 2015 by Boston Business Journal. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com/boston